Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Barefoot Contessa's Fresh Peach Nectarine Cake

Oh, Ina. I just heart you.
Ina makes a Fresh Peach Cake to celebrate summer. And I'm celebrating the soon-to-be end of summer with a Fresh Nectarine Cake. It takes Los Angeles a while to get into fall...especially since it was 95 degrees this weekend!

This recipe has two (count 'em! two!) layers of fresh peaches or nectarines. Lay the thick batter on the bottom of the pan, top with fruit and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. More batter goes on top and another layer of peaches/nectarines. Ina tops her cake with pecans but I used sliced almonds. I only did half the cake as one of my co-workers doesn't eat nuts (before you go nuts, she not allergic, nuts just bother her tummy).

If you still have peaches or nectarines available, make this cake as a good-bye to summer! The cake is moist, the fruit is sweet and delicious and it's perfect for breakfast or tea...or anytime!

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch-square baking pan. I placed a sheet of parchment paper and sprayed with with Pam with Flour.
2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup sugar and the cinnamon. This is the topping. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of the KitchenAid with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy on medium speed (about 4 minutes). With the mixer on low, add the eggs, one at a time, then the sour cream and vanilla, and mix until the batter is smooth.
5. With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix just until combined.
6. Spread half of the batter evenly in the pan. Top with half of the nectarines, then sprinkle with two-thirds of the sugar mixture. Spread the remaining batter on top, arrange the remaining nectarines on top and sprinkle with the remaining sugar mixture and the pecans.
7. Bake the cake for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature. My cake took 60 minutes to cook.

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comments:

It looks delicious! :)I know about Ina's books thanks to a dear friend who lives in USA, she is a big fan of Mrs Gartner.I think Barefoot Contessa's books will be the next on my amazon shopping...thanks for the recipe!Irma from Italy